US20070019044A1 - Ink jet print head and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents
Ink jet print head and manufacturing method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070019044A1 US20070019044A1 US11/488,629 US48862906A US2007019044A1 US 20070019044 A1 US20070019044 A1 US 20070019044A1 US 48862906 A US48862906 A US 48862906A US 2007019044 A1 US2007019044 A1 US 2007019044A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- print head
- ultraviolet light
- support substrate
- ink jet
- adhesive
- Prior art date
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Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 104
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000007822 coupling agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000009998 heat setting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Zr]=O MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M copper(1+);methylsulfanylmethane;bromide Chemical compound Br[Cu].CSC PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 6
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007788 roughening Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005234 chemical deposition Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005289 physical deposition Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 65
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
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- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 3
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- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005240 physical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910010037 TiAlN Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
- B41J2/1623—Manufacturing processes bonding and adhesion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/145—Arrangement thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1601—Production of bubble jet print heads
- B41J2/1603—Production of bubble jet print heads of the front shooter type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
- B41J2/164—Manufacturing processes thin film formation
- B41J2/1642—Manufacturing processes thin film formation thin film formation by CVD [chemical vapor deposition]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ink jet print head and a manufacturing method thereof.
- an ink jet print head comprises a print element substrate and a support substrate.
- the print element substrate has ejection energy generation means, such as electrothermal transducers, ink ejection openings (or nozzles) and an ink introducing port.
- the support substrate is formed with an ink supply port.
- the print element substrate and the support substrate are positioned and bonded together by an adhesive, which hardens by ultraviolet light and heat (hereinafter referred to simply as an adhesive), so that the ink supply port communicates with the ink introducing port.
- the adhesive used has a coupling agent, such as silane coupling agent, added thereto to enhance an intimate contact between the support substrate and the print element substrate.
- the coupling agent is not added to the boding agent, a high level of intimate contact cannot be obtained between the support substrate and the print element substrate during the hardening of the adhesive. Therefore, after the adhesive hardens, a part of the adhesive may flake off with elapse of time, causing problems, such as ink leaking out to an outer circumference of the print element substrate.
- the print element substrate must be held immovable in its place with high accuracy until the adhesive begins to exhibit enough adhesive force to fix the print element substrate in its position. This deteriorates a workability in a production process and therefore a mass producing performance.
- the adhesive that hardens by ultraviolet light and heat. That is, the adhesive is first hardened in a short time by ultraviolet light to temporarily fix the position of the print element substrate with high accuracy. Then, those portions of adhesive that the ultraviolet light cannot reach is hardened by heat.
- the ultraviolet light that has struck the surface of the support substrate may reach those portions of adhesive that are not intended for direct exposure to the ultraviolet light, initiating their hardening.
- those portions of adhesive that are supposed to harden by heat may also undesirably harden in a short time, deteriorating the reactivity of the coupling agent.
- the present invention has been accomplished with a view to overcoming the above problems. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an ink jet print head that improves an intimate contact between the print element substrate and the support substrate to enhance its reliability. It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing the print head.
- an ink jet print head comprising:
- a print element substrate having an ink ejection means; and a support substrate to which the print element substrate is securely bonded by an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive having a coupling agent added thereto;
- a bonding surface of the support substrate on which the print element substrate is supported is formed with an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface that prevents a reflection of ultraviolet light.
- a print head manufacturing method for manufacturing a print head wherein the print head has a print element substrate having an ink ejection means, and a support substrate to which the print element substrate is securely bonded by an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive having a coupling agent added thereto;
- the print head manufacturing method comprising the steps of:
- the coupling agent mentioned above is a combination at a molecular level of a hydrolyzing group, which easily bonds to inorganic components (materials not containing carbon), and an organic functional group, which easily bonds to organic components (materials containing carbon).
- an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface is formed on a bonding surface of the support substrate to which the print element substrate is bonded.
- This ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface prevents diffused reflections of ultraviolet light, which would otherwise harden the ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive more than necessary, and thereby ensures that the coupling agent in the adhesive fully performs its function to improve the intimate contact between the printing element substrate and the support substrate.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a first embodiment of this invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print element substrate of FIG. 1 as seen from the back;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of essential portions of the ink jet print head
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first plate of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the first plate of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circle VI of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a circle VIIA of FIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters;
- FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a circle VIIB of FIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters;
- FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of the circle VIIA of FIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to the second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a basic construction of an ink jet print head according to this invention.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the ink jet print head and ink tanks of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the ink jet print head of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a first print element substrate of FIG. 12 partly cut away;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a second print element substrate of FIG. 12 partly cut away.
- FIG. 15 is a table showing a result of performance evaluation on the ink jet print head of this invention.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a print head cartridge H 1000 .
- the print head cartridge H 1000 has an ink tank H 1900 accommodating ink and a print head H 1001 that ejects the ink supplied from the ink tank H 1900 from its nozzles according to print information.
- the print head H 1001 is of a so-called cartridge type that is removably mounted on a carriage (not shown) described later.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the print head cartridge H 1000 in an exploded state.
- the print head cartridge H 1000 has a total of six ink tanks H 1900 independently containing black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta and yellow ink, each removably mounted on the print head H 1001 , for color printing with as high a print image quality as photographs.
- FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the print head H 1001 in a disassembled state.
- the print head H 1001 has a print element unit H 1002 , a tank holder H 1500 , a flow path member H 1600 , a filter H 1700 , and a seal rubber 1800 .
- the print element unit H 1002 comprises two kinds of print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 for ink jet printing, a first plate H 1200 as a support member, an electric wiring tape H 1300 as a flexible wiring board, an electric contact board H 2200 , and a second plate H 1400 as a second support member that constitutes a print element substrate accommodating member.
- the two kinds of print element substrates are bonded and secured to the first plate H 1200 . Also bonded and secured to the first plate H 1200 is the second plate H 1400 formed with openings H 1400 A, H 1400 B. To this second plate H 1400 is bonded and secured the electric wiring tape H 1300 which is set in a predetermined positional relationship with the print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 .
- This electric wiring tape H 1300 is used to apply ink ejection electric signals to the print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 and has electric wires for the print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 connected to the electric contact board H 2200 .
- the electric contact board H 2200 has an external signal input terminal H 1301 to receive electric signals from the ink jet printing apparatus and is positioned and secured by a terminal positioning hole H 1501 of the tank holder H 1500 .
- the two kinds of print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 are provided, one for a black ink and one for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, light cyan and light magenta inks.
- the former has electrothermal transducers as ejection energy generation means arrayed on both sides of an ink supply port for the black ink.
- the latter similarly has electrothermal transducers as ejection energy generation means arrayed on both sides of an ink supply port for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, light cyan and light magenta inks.
- FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are perspective views schematically showing the two kinds of print element substrate of this embodiment partly cut away.
- These print element substrates include a silicon substrate H 1110 about 0.5-1 mm thick, one side of which is formed with a plurality of electrothermal transducers (heater) H 1103 to eject ink.
- nozzles H 1107 Arranged opposite the individual heaters H 1103 are nozzles H 1107 which communicate, through ink paths H 1106 in a nozzle forming member, with the ink supply port 1102 that opens at the top surface of the substrate H 1100 .
- the ink supply port 1102 is an elongate slot covering a length of the array of nozzles or heaters H 1103 and passes through the substrate H 1100 and opens to the back thereof.
- the opening at the back of the substrate H 1100 communicates with an ink communication port H 1201 formed in the first plate H 1200 for ink supply.
- the heaters H 1103 are arrayed in two staggered lines, one on each side of the ink supply port 1102 .
- the nozzles H 1107 are arranged opposite the individual heaters 1103 , ink supplied from the ink supply port 1102 is ejected from the nozzles by expanding bubbles generated by the heaters H 1103 .
- FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are schematic perspective views showing the characteristic construction of the ink jet print head of this embodiment.
- the first print element substrate H 1100 and the second print element substrate H 1101 are bonded to the first plate H 1200 as a support substrate so that the ink supply ports 1102 formed in the print element substrates communicate with the ink communication ports H 1201 .
- an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive with a coupling agent of silane coupling agent as an additive is used for the bonding of the print element substrates.
- areas H 1250 on the surface of the first plate H 1200 are coated with an ultraviolet diffused reflection prevention paint of dark color, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the area coated with the dark paint is an area that is required to have a particularly high level of intimate contact at a bonding interface between the first plate and the first and second print element substrates.
- the areas H 1250 in this example are within 0.3 mm of the outer circumferences of the ink supply ports 1102 of the first and second print element substrate. This area corresponds to a range H 1103 .
- the first plate H 1200 coated with the diffused reflection prevention pain at the area H 1250 is heated and dried in a cure furnace at 100-120° C. for 0.5-2 hours to fix a colorant.
- the painted area H 1250 is polished to a planar surface so that the print element substrates can be bonded to the first plate with an improved accuracy.
- FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7 C show how the print element substrates H 1100 , H 1101 are bonded to the first plate H 1200 by using the ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive H 1150 with an additive of coupling agent such as silane coupling agent.
- an additive of coupling agent such as silane coupling agent.
- ultraviolet light is shone from above the print element substrates through a covering member H 1111 into the inside of the ink supply port 1102 and outer circumferences of the print element substrates.
- a part of the ultraviolet light that has entered strikes that portion H 1150 A of the adhesive H 1150 which is squeezed outside the bonding surface of the print element substrate, as shown in FIG. 7C , causing the portion H 1150 A to harden in a short time.
- the portion H 1150 A of the adhesive hardened in a short time, the print element substrates are quickly secured to the first plate.
- the adhesive can be prevented from getting into the ink supply port 1102 . Then, the other portion of the adhesive is hardened by heat to fully fix the print element substrates to the first plate.
- the adhesive H 1150 is not hardened more than necessary by the ultraviolet light and the other portion than the portion H 1150 A fully exhibits the function of the coupling agent during the subsequent process of hardening by heat, fully fixing the print element substrates to the first plate with a high level of intimate bonding performance.
- the area H 1250 for preventing diffused reflection of ultraviolet light is advantageously set large, covering an area beyond that directly exposed by ultraviolet light.
- the diffused reflection of ultraviolet light on the surface of the first plate H 1200 is prevented when the first print element substrate H 1100 and the second print element substrate H 1101 are temporarily fixed by ultraviolet light.
- a highly reliable ink jet print head can be provided.
- FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are schematic diagrams showing constructions of essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a second embodiment of this invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the diffused reflection prevention method.
- this embodiment uses black ceramic Si 3 N 4 (silicon nitride) as a material for the first plate H 1200 .
- Other materials for the first plate H 1200 include SiC (silicon carbide)-, ZrO 2 (zirconia)- and AlN (aluminum nitride)-based dark color ceramics, and dark color ceramics having carbon added thereto. What is required is that the materials used can prevent a diffused reflection of ultraviolet light.
- This embodiment also can produce the similar hardening effect to that of the first embodiment. Further, this embodiment does not require such a cumbersome procedure as treating the first plate with the diffused reflection prevention coating.
- the first plate H 1200 may be formed of such materials as Al 2 O 3 (alumina)-, ZrO 2 (zirconia)-, and AlN (aluminum nitride)-based white ceramics and be evaporated on its surface with TiN, TiCN and TiAlN by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to form a dark color ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface.
- the deposition may be achieved by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). For example, by chemically depositing TiC, TiN and TiCN, it is possible to form a dark color surface and thereby produce the similar ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention effect.
- the ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface may be formed by roughening the surface of the first plate H 1200 .
- the roughened bonding interface can prevent the diffused reflection of ultraviolet light.
- the roughened surface can be expected to produce an anchor effect at the bonding interface, which can improve the bonding strength as a secondary effect in addition to the primary effect of the bonding strength improvement realized by the diffused reflection prevention.
- the diffused reflection of ultraviolet light can also be prevented by other means, such as adjusting compositions of the adhesive itself, lowering a transparency of the adhesive and adding a colorant.
- FIG. 15 shows a result of performance comparison between ink jet print heads of this embodiment and an example for comparison.
- the former print head is formed with an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface by making the surface of the first plate H 1200 a dark color.
- the latter print head has a light color surface of the first plate H 1200 not formed with the ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface.
- both of these print heads were exposed to various quantities of ultraviolet light.
- FIG. 15 for small ultraviolet exposures of 0 J/cm 2 and 2 J/cm 2 , both print heads resulted in nozzle clogging when ink was ejected from all nozzles.
- the print head of this invention produced good results in both the print quality and ejection state when the ultraviolet exposure was 5.5 J/cm 2 or higher.
- the print head for comparison resulted in a color mixing when exposed with more than 12 J/cm 2 of ultraviolet light. This is considered due to an insufficient contact between the first plate H 1200 and the print element substrates.
- the print head of this invention could be exposed with ultraviolet light without a problem for up to 100 J/cm 2 , much higher than 7.5 J/cm 2 . It is therefore possible to harden the adhesive in a shorter time and improve a fixing position accuracy when securing the print element substrates to the support substrate. As a result, an ink landing position precision has improved, realizing an ink jet print head capable of printing high-quality images.
- the adhesive at the edge portion H 1112 of the ink supply port 1102 at the back of the print element substrates it was hardened normally by ultraviolet light entering from above the member H 1111 that covers the print elements and liquid chamber, as shown in FIG. 7C .
- this portion of adhesive could exhibit the function of preventing ingress into nozzles of the adhesive that has not yet hardened.
- Any desired method of radiating ultraviolet light or any radiation direction may be chosen. It is also possible to use a mask and apply ultraviolet light to only those portions of adhesive which one wants hardened.
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Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an ink jet print head and a manufacturing method thereof.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, an ink jet print head comprises a print element substrate and a support substrate. The print element substrate has ejection energy generation means, such as electrothermal transducers, ink ejection openings (or nozzles) and an ink introducing port. The support substrate is formed with an ink supply port.
- The print element substrate and the support substrate are positioned and bonded together by an adhesive, which hardens by ultraviolet light and heat (hereinafter referred to simply as an adhesive), so that the ink supply port communicates with the ink introducing port. The adhesive used has a coupling agent, such as silane coupling agent, added thereto to enhance an intimate contact between the support substrate and the print element substrate.
- If the coupling agent is not added to the boding agent, a high level of intimate contact cannot be obtained between the support substrate and the print element substrate during the hardening of the adhesive. Therefore, after the adhesive hardens, a part of the adhesive may flake off with elapse of time, causing problems, such as ink leaking out to an outer circumference of the print element substrate.
- Further, if the adhesive that is hardened by ultraviolet light and heat is not used and a thermosetting adhesive that is hardened only by heat is used, the print element substrate must be held immovable in its place with high accuracy until the adhesive begins to exhibit enough adhesive force to fix the print element substrate in its position. This deteriorates a workability in a production process and therefore a mass producing performance.
- For these reasons, it is effective to use the adhesive that hardens by ultraviolet light and heat. That is, the adhesive is first hardened in a short time by ultraviolet light to temporarily fix the position of the print element substrate with high accuracy. Then, those portions of adhesive that the ultraviolet light cannot reach is hardened by heat.
- Since a part of such an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive hardens by ultraviolet light in a short time, the function of the coupling agent added to the adhesive may be lost in that part. That is, for the portion that has hardened in a short time by ultraviolet light, an improved intimate contact expected of the coupling agent cannot be realized. It is therefore desirable that the portion of the adhesive that is hardened by ultraviolet light be kept as small as possible on the condition that the print element substrate can be secured temporarily on the support substrate.
- Because of its irregular reflections, the ultraviolet light that has struck the surface of the support substrate may reach those portions of adhesive that are not intended for direct exposure to the ultraviolet light, initiating their hardening. In such a case, those portions of adhesive that are supposed to harden by heat may also undesirably harden in a short time, deteriorating the reactivity of the coupling agent.
- The present invention has been accomplished with a view to overcoming the above problems. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an ink jet print head that improves an intimate contact between the print element substrate and the support substrate to enhance its reliability. It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing the print head.
- In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet print head comprising:
- a print element substrate having an ink ejection means; and a support substrate to which the print element substrate is securely bonded by an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive having a coupling agent added thereto;
- wherein a bonding surface of the support substrate on which the print element substrate is supported is formed with an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface that prevents a reflection of ultraviolet light.
- In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print head manufacturing method for manufacturing a print head, wherein the print head has a print element substrate having an ink ejection means, and a support substrate to which the print element substrate is securely bonded by an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive having a coupling agent added thereto;
- the print head manufacturing method comprising the steps of:
- forming an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface on a bonding surface of the support substrate on which the print element substrate is to be supported;
- applying the adhesive to the bonding surfaces of the print element substrate and the support substrate;
- radiating the ultraviolet light against the adhesive to cause it to harden; and
- applying heat to the adhesive to cause it to harden.
- The coupling agent mentioned above is a combination at a molecular level of a hydrolyzing group, which easily bonds to inorganic components (materials not containing carbon), and an organic functional group, which easily bonds to organic components (materials containing carbon). By adding this coupling agent to the adhesive, a wettability between the adhesive and objects to be bonded can be improved, thereby enhancing the intimate contact between the objects as the adhesive hardens.
- According to this invention, an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface is formed on a bonding surface of the support substrate to which the print element substrate is bonded. This ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface prevents diffused reflections of ultraviolet light, which would otherwise harden the ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive more than necessary, and thereby ensures that the coupling agent in the adhesive fully performs its function to improve the intimate contact between the printing element substrate and the support substrate.
- This in turn prevents an ink leakage and a failure to eject ink due to failed intimate contact and improves an accuracy in fixing the print element substrate in its position on the support substrate, improving the ink landing position accuracy. It is therefore possible to provide a high quality ink jet print head.
- The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a first embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print element substrate ofFIG. 1 as seen from the back; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of essential portions of the ink jet print head; -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first plate ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the first plate ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circle VI ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a circle VIIA ofFIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters; -
FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a circle VIIB ofFIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters; -
FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of the circle VIIA ofFIG. 6 when ultraviolet light enters; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a second embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing essential portions of an ink jet print head according to the second embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a basic construction of an ink jet print head according to this invention; -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the ink jet print head and ink tanks ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the ink jet print head ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a first print element substrate ofFIG. 12 partly cut away; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a second print element substrate ofFIG. 12 partly cut away; and -
FIG. 15 is a table showing a result of performance evaluation on the ink jet print head of this invention. - Now, a first embodiment of the ink jet print head according to this invention will be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.
- First, referring to
FIG. 10 andFIG. 11 , a basic construction of the ink jet print head of this invention will be described before explaining about characteristics of the print head. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a print head cartridge H1000. The print head cartridge H1000 has an ink tank H1900 accommodating ink and a print head H1001 that ejects the ink supplied from the ink tank H1900 from its nozzles according to print information. The print head H1001 is of a so-called cartridge type that is removably mounted on a carriage (not shown) described later. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the print head cartridge H1000 in an exploded state. The print head cartridge H1000 has a total of six ink tanks H1900 independently containing black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta and yellow ink, each removably mounted on the print head H1001, for color printing with as high a print image quality as photographs. -
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the print head H1001 in a disassembled state. The print head H1001 has a print element unit H1002, a tank holder H1500, a flow path member H1600, a filter H1700, and a seal rubber 1800. As shown in the figure, the print element unit H1002 comprises two kinds of print element substrates H1100, H1101 for ink jet printing, a first plate H1200 as a support member, an electric wiring tape H1300 as a flexible wiring board, an electric contact board H2200, and a second plate H1400 as a second support member that constitutes a print element substrate accommodating member. - The two kinds of print element substrates are bonded and secured to the first plate H1200. Also bonded and secured to the first plate H1200 is the second plate H1400 formed with openings H1400A, H1400B. To this second plate H1400 is bonded and secured the electric wiring tape H1300 which is set in a predetermined positional relationship with the print element substrates H1100, H1101.
- This electric wiring tape H1300 is used to apply ink ejection electric signals to the print element substrates H1100, H1101 and has electric wires for the print element substrates H1100, H1101 connected to the electric contact board H2200. The electric contact board H2200 has an external signal input terminal H1301 to receive electric signals from the ink jet printing apparatus and is positioned and secured by a terminal positioning hole H1501 of the tank holder H1500.
- The two kinds of print element substrates H1100, H1101 are provided, one for a black ink and one for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, light cyan and light magenta inks. The former has electrothermal transducers as ejection energy generation means arrayed on both sides of an ink supply port for the black ink. The latter similarly has electrothermal transducers as ejection energy generation means arrayed on both sides of an ink supply port for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, light cyan and light magenta inks.
-
FIG. 13 andFIG. 14 are perspective views schematically showing the two kinds of print element substrate of this embodiment partly cut away. These print element substrates, as shown, include a silicon substrate H1110 about 0.5-1 mm thick, one side of which is formed with a plurality of electrothermal transducers (heater) H1103 to eject ink. Arranged opposite the individual heaters H1103 are nozzles H1107 which communicate, through ink paths H1106 in a nozzle forming member, with the ink supply port 1102 that opens at the top surface of the substrate H1100. The ink supply port 1102 is an elongate slot covering a length of the array of nozzles or heaters H1103 and passes through the substrate H1100 and opens to the back thereof. The opening at the back of the substrate H1100 communicates with an ink communication port H1201 formed in the first plate H1200 for ink supply. - The heaters H1103 are arrayed in two staggered lines, one on each side of the ink supply port 1102. Thus, since the nozzles H1107 are arranged opposite the individual heaters 1103, ink supplied from the ink supply port 1102 is ejected from the nozzles by expanding bubbles generated by the heaters H1103.
- Now, the construction of the ink jet print head characteristic of this embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 are schematic perspective views showing the characteristic construction of the ink jet print head of this embodiment. As described above, the first print element substrate H1100 and the second print element substrate H1101 are bonded to the first plate H1200 as a support substrate so that the ink supply ports 1102 formed in the print element substrates communicate with the ink communication ports H1201. For the bonding of the print element substrates, an ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive with a coupling agent of silane coupling agent as an additive is used. - In this embodiment, areas H1250 on the surface of the first plate H1200 are coated with an ultraviolet diffused reflection prevention paint of dark color, as shown in
FIG. 1 . The area coated with the dark paint (ultraviolet light reflection prevention area H1250) is an area that is required to have a particularly high level of intimate contact at a bonding interface between the first plate and the first and second print element substrates. The areas H1250 in this example are within 0.3 mm of the outer circumferences of the ink supply ports 1102 of the first and second print element substrate. This area corresponds to a range H1103. - The first plate H1200 coated with the diffused reflection prevention pain at the area H1250 is heated and dried in a cure furnace at 100-120° C. for 0.5-2 hours to fix a colorant. The painted area H1250 is polished to a planar surface so that the print element substrates can be bonded to the first plate with an improved accuracy.
-
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 andFIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show how the print element substrates H1100, H1101 are bonded to the first plate H1200 by using the ultraviolet light/heat setting adhesive H1150 with an additive of coupling agent such as silane coupling agent. First, with the adhesive H1150 applied between the bonding surfaces of the first plate and the print element substrates, ultraviolet light is radiated against a part of the adhesive H1150 to harden it in a short time to temporarily secure the print element substrates to the first plate. In this example, as shown inFIG. 7A andFIG. 7B , ultraviolet light is shone from above the print element substrates through a covering member H1111 into the inside of the ink supply port 1102 and outer circumferences of the print element substrates. With this ultraviolet light exposure, a part of the ultraviolet light that has entered strikes that portion H1150A of the adhesive H1150 which is squeezed outside the bonding surface of the print element substrate, as shown inFIG. 7C , causing the portion H1150A to harden in a short time. With the portion H1150A of the adhesive hardened in a short time, the print element substrates are quickly secured to the first plate. Further, since the portion H1150A of adhesive at an edge portion H1112 of the ink supply port 1102 quickly hardens, the adhesive can be prevented from getting into the ink supply port 1102. Then, the other portion of the adhesive is hardened by heat to fully fix the print element substrates to the first plate. - When a portion H1150A of adhesive is hardened by ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light is prevented from being irregularly reflected by the area H1250 on the surface of the first plate and thus does not get into the inner side of the bonding surface between the print element substrates and the first plate. Therefore, the adhesive H1150 is not hardened more than necessary by the ultraviolet light and the other portion than the portion H1150A fully exhibits the function of the coupling agent during the subsequent process of hardening by heat, fully fixing the print element substrates to the first plate with a high level of intimate bonding performance. The area H1250 for preventing diffused reflection of ultraviolet light is advantageously set large, covering an area beyond that directly exposed by ultraviolet light.
- If ultraviolet light should be diffusedly reflected to enter into a portion of the adhesive more than necessary and that adhesive portion be hardened even slightly, the function of the coupling agent will not be fully exhibited during the subsequent process of hardening by heat. That is, the reactivity of the coupling agent may get dull, failing to produce a sufficient level of intimate contact between the bonding surfaces.
- As described above, by using the first plate H1200 (support substrate) with a diffused reflection prevention coating in manufacturing an ink jet print head during the above process, the diffused reflection of ultraviolet light on the surface of the first plate H1200 is prevented when the first print element substrate H1100 and the second print element substrate H1101 are temporarily fixed by ultraviolet light. This prevents the adhesive from becoming hardened more than necessary by ultraviolet light and thus realizes a high intimate contact force in a subsequent, slow hardening process by heat without impairing the function of the coupling agent. As a result, a highly reliable ink jet print head can be provided.
-
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 are schematic diagrams showing constructions of essential portions of an ink jet print head according to a second embodiment of this invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the diffused reflection prevention method. - To produce an ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention effect, this embodiment uses black ceramic Si3N4 (silicon nitride) as a material for the first plate H1200. Other materials for the first plate H1200 include SiC (silicon carbide)-, ZrO2 (zirconia)- and AlN (aluminum nitride)-based dark color ceramics, and dark color ceramics having carbon added thereto. What is required is that the materials used can prevent a diffused reflection of ultraviolet light.
- This embodiment also can produce the similar hardening effect to that of the first embodiment. Further, this embodiment does not require such a cumbersome procedure as treating the first plate with the diffused reflection prevention coating.
- The first plate H1200 may be formed of such materials as Al2O3 (alumina)-, ZrO2 (zirconia)-, and AlN (aluminum nitride)-based white ceramics and be evaporated on its surface with TiN, TiCN and TiAlN by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to form a dark color ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface. The deposition may be achieved by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). For example, by chemically depositing TiC, TiN and TiCN, it is possible to form a dark color surface and thereby produce the similar ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention effect.
- The ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface may be formed by roughening the surface of the first plate H1200. In this case, the roughened bonding interface can prevent the diffused reflection of ultraviolet light. Further, when viewed from a standpoint of the bonding strength, the roughened surface can be expected to produce an anchor effect at the bonding interface, which can improve the bonding strength as a secondary effect in addition to the primary effect of the bonding strength improvement realized by the diffused reflection prevention.
- The diffused reflection of ultraviolet light can also be prevented by other means, such as adjusting compositions of the adhesive itself, lowering a transparency of the adhesive and adding a colorant.
-
FIG. 15 shows a result of performance comparison between ink jet print heads of this embodiment and an example for comparison. The former print head is formed with an ultraviolet light reflection prevention surface by making the surface of the first plate H1200 a dark color. The latter print head has a light color surface of the first plate H1200 not formed with the ultraviolet light diffused reflection prevention surface. In a manufacturing stage, both of these print heads were exposed to various quantities of ultraviolet light. As can be seen fromFIG. 15 , for small ultraviolet exposures of 0 J/cm2 and 2 J/cm2, both print heads resulted in nozzle clogging when ink was ejected from all nozzles. The print head of this invention produced good results in both the print quality and ejection state when the ultraviolet exposure was 5.5 J/cm2 or higher. On the other hand, the print head for comparison resulted in a color mixing when exposed with more than 12 J/cm2 of ultraviolet light. This is considered due to an insufficient contact between the first plate H1200 and the print element substrates. - The print head of this invention could be exposed with ultraviolet light without a problem for up to 100 J/cm2, much higher than 7.5 J/cm2. It is therefore possible to harden the adhesive in a shorter time and improve a fixing position accuracy when securing the print element substrates to the support substrate. As a result, an ink landing position precision has improved, realizing an ink jet print head capable of printing high-quality images.
- As for the adhesive at the edge portion H1112 of the ink supply port 1102 at the back of the print element substrates, it was hardened normally by ultraviolet light entering from above the member H1111 that covers the print elements and liquid chamber, as shown in
FIG. 7C . As a result, this portion of adhesive could exhibit the function of preventing ingress into nozzles of the adhesive that has not yet hardened. - Any desired method of radiating ultraviolet light or any radiation direction may be chosen. It is also possible to use a mask and apply ultraviolet light to only those portions of adhesive which one wants hardened.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
- This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-213361, filed Jul. 22, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirely.
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JP2005213361A JP4701031B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2005-07-22 | Method for manufacturing ink jet recording head |
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US20070019044A1 true US20070019044A1 (en) | 2007-01-25 |
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Cited By (3)
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US20110067810A1 (en) * | 2009-09-18 | 2011-03-24 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Manufacturing method of liquid discharge head |
CN108161010A (en) * | 2018-02-09 | 2018-06-15 | 广东汉邦激光科技有限公司 | 3D printing method and system based on fast sintering |
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JP6579780B2 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2019-09-25 | キヤノン株式会社 | Liquid discharge head and support member |
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US6108914A (en) * | 1997-07-25 | 2000-08-29 | Ryobi North America, Inc. | Fixed line trimmer head |
US6940692B2 (en) * | 2001-01-11 | 2005-09-06 | International Business Machines | Magnetic recording head having a corrosion-protective layer of a metal salt of a perfluorinated polyether acid |
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US20090040273A1 (en) * | 2007-08-07 | 2009-02-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid ejection head |
US7591531B2 (en) * | 2007-08-07 | 2009-09-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid ejection head |
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CN108161010A (en) * | 2018-02-09 | 2018-06-15 | 广东汉邦激光科技有限公司 | 3D printing method and system based on fast sintering |
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JP4701031B2 (en) | 2011-06-15 |
JP2007030229A (en) | 2007-02-08 |
US7641311B2 (en) | 2010-01-05 |
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